A morning visit which has seen and increase of finch numbers at Big and Little Straps. Mobile flocks of Lapwing looking for feeding grounds. An increase of wildfowl at Athelhampton. The area above the ridge was not covered.
Wildfowl Counts:-
Greylag Goose (2) Canada Goose (164), Teal (68), Wigeon (154), Mallard (9), Snipe (10), Lapwing (86)
Finch Counts:-
Yellowhammer (87), Reed Bunting (35), Chaffinch (250), Goldfinch (3), Greenfinch, House Sparrow (45), Dunnock (2),
An afternoon visit to the farm with Wigeon numbers up. Temperatures are set to drop overnight which presents the opportunity for more wildfowl and finches to congregate on the farm.
Canada Goose 136, Wigeon 318, Teal 13, Cormorant 4, Little Egret 7, Mallard 69 (65 to roost on River Piddle at Mill Mead). Raven S over Mill Mead. Common Gull 7 flight SW over Waterbarn Cottages.
Raven low over Green field to land in tree and call.
pm finch count over 200 birds present at Big and Little Straps.
Reed Bunting 47, Yellowhammer 72, Chaffinch 50, House Sparrow 35,
Happy New Year Everyone! My first visit to the farm in 2025.
The water meadows had good numbers of wildfowl. Lapwing and Wigeon arrived once the sun had taken the edge off the frost.
Shoveler 4 (2m, 2f), Wigeon 198, Teal 30, Geese: Egyptian 2 (Athelhampton) Canada 174, Greylag 2,
A Coot was on Causeway Pond which maybe a bird that has taken up residence with scattered sightings at the end of the year. Moorhen 2 and Little Grebe 5 were the other counts on the pond.
A Green Sandpiper was noted opposite the Causeway Pond.
A Peregrine scattered the wildfowl as it flew over the meadows.
The mixed seed crop at Big and Little Straps is attracting the most finches. Chalk Pit held 147 Chaffinch.
A high count of Reed Bunting 57 of various ages and plumages.
Yellowhammer 81, Chaffinch 212, Linnet 40, Goldfinch 5, Greenfinch 3, Bullfinch, House Sparrow 40,
Siskin 10 were feeding in the Alders at Burleston with Goldfinch.
A morning visit which has seen and increase of finch numbers at Big and Little Straps. Mobile flocks of Lapwing looking for feeding grounds....
